Flexible binding

Abstract

A flexible binding blank is die-cut from a sheet of polyethylene terephthalate to form a tape with bands projecting at right angles from one edge. In one embodiment, the tape has a perforated longitudinal center line with rectangular apertures opposite each band, and a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive. The bands are threaded through apertures in a stack of pages, and folded back so that free ends of the bands project through the rectangular apertures. In one embodiment, the tape is folded along its perforated center line securing the bands into rings, and projecting free ends cut off. In another embodiment, the bands are notched to engage notches in the tape.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method for making a flexible loose leaf binding for a book comprising the steps of: preparing a stack of pages having a row of holes along one edge of said stack extending through said stack;   positioning along said edge of the stack a tape having a preferential fold line extending along a longitudinal axis thereof and a plurality of band-receiving apertures through it along said fold line;   threading a like plurality of bands of flexible, supple material having high tensile strength through said holes;   folding said bands to join the ends of each of said bands together to form a plurality of band rings of substantially uniform size and passing the excess length of bands through said band-receiving apertures so that such excess length can be severed; and   bonding said joined ends of said plurality of bands together within the folded tape to form a flexible binding.   
     
     
       2. A flexible binder for stacks of sheets, which binder may be readily opened to add or subtract sheets and reclosed, said binder comprising: an elongated tape of flexible material to extend along an edge of the sheets to be bound together; and   a plurality of spaced apart, elongated, flexible bands integrally connected to said tape and projecting perpendicularly from one longitudinal edge;   each of said bands having a plurality of pairs of aligned serrations formed in its opposite lateral edges proximal to its free end to form narrow necks in said band;   said tape having an elongated aperture centrally located opposite each of said bands, said elongated aperture being longer than the width of said band so as to receive said band therethrough;   said tape also having a notch formed in another longitudinal edge opposite said one longitudinal edge and located in alignment with each of said bands, said notch being approximately as wide as said narrow necks in said band;   each of said bands being of sufficient length so that the free end thereof can extend through an aperture in said sheets and be folded back against itself, passed through an aperture centrally located opposite to said band and be positioned so that a narrow neck in said band can be slid into said notch located in alignment with said band to form a closed ring band which may be readily opened and reclosed to add or subtract sheets from said binder.   
     
     
       3. A flexible binder for a plurality of stacked sheets comprising the combination of: a. a tape of flexible, supple material to extend along an edge of the sheets to be bound together, said tape being provided with a preferential fold line extending along a longitudinal axis thereof, and at least one band-receiving aperture through it along said preferential fold line;   b. at least one band to project transversely of said tape from one edge of said band with a free end of sufficient length to pass through an aperture in a stack of sheets and to be folded back against itself to join the ends of said band to form a closed band ring in such a manner that any excess length of the free end of said band extends through said band-receiving aperture and can be severed, said band having at least one guide marker at a precalculated distance from the free end of said band; so that when it is desired to form a band ring of a certain size, said band is folded over and inserted through the aperture in said tape until the guide mark is viewed from said aperture at which time the guide marker no longer serves any purpose and can be severed; and   c. bonding means for bonding the joined ends of said band ring within the tape folded along said preferential fold line.   
     
     
       4. A flexible binding as set forth in claim 3 wherein said band is contiguous with said tape. 
     
     
       5. A flexible binding as set forth in claim 3 wherein said tape and said band are cut from a single sheet of flexible, supple material of high tensile strength.